Apparatus for applying thermal barrier and release agent to a continuous casting wheel

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is described for uniformly applying a combined thermal barrier and release agent to the peripheral groove of a continuous casting wheel. The apparatus includes a limiting member for determining the proper height of the applicators, a wheel trimming member, sidewall applicators and a base applicator.

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Henry Barrow Lancaster;

Jack E. Schmidt, Bowmansville; Robert E. Fromson, Williamsville; Fred C.

Staskiewicz, Buffalo, N.Y.

776,464 Nov. 18, 1968 Jan. 26, 1971 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa.

a corporation of Pennsylvania CONTINUOUS CASTING WHEEL 7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 164/158, 164/268 Int. Cl B22d 11/12 a 56 1 40 se 1 1 I 11 I u 1: 20 42 I H I 1 I| I| ,'24 1' 1 rdl N: 1 f, \\\\\1L '22 Primary ExaminerJ. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-R. Spencer Annear Attorneys-F. Shapoe and R. T. Randig ABSTRACT: Apparatus is described for uniformly applying a combined thermal barrier and release agent to the peripheral groove of a continuous casting wheel. The apparatus includes a limiting member for determining the proper height of the applicators, a wheel trimming member, sidewall applicators and a base applicator.

69 72 4e 1 as I 106 as 7 I 54 I14 0 49 82 78 8o 102 84 lQQ APPARATUS FOR APPLYING THERMAL BARRIER AND RELEASE AGENT TO A CONTINUOUS CASTING WHEEL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the lnvention The present invention relates to apparatus for uniformly dis tributing a combined thermal barrier and release agent to the peripheral groove of a continuous casting wheel and in particular the invention relates to means for locating the applicators within the groove of the continuous casting wheel and in tandem therewith means for trimming the surface of the continuous casting grooves, apparatus for uniformly applying a thermal barrier and release agent to the sidewalls and means for uniformly coating the base portion of the continuous casting groove.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past continuous casting wheels or drums have been employed for casting nonferrous metals particularly aluminum and copper. Essentially, the prior art casting wheels have included a rotatable drum having groove periphery thereabout, and around a portion of the wheel or drum a steel endless belt is passed, the belt being of a greater length than the circumference of the drum and diverging therefrom on opposite sides. This arrangement is best illustrated by reference to the various patents issued to Ilario Properzi and the patents assigned to the Southwire Company. U. S. Pat. No. 3,322,184 describes apparatus for applying a thermal barrier and release agent for the casting of metals, particularly copper. Therein it is disclosed that the thermal barrier serves to physically separate the cast metal from the casting mold so that the cast metal is easily released by and parted from the casting mold. In addition, the thermal barrier retards the initial transfer of heat from the cast metal to the casting mold. This serves to prevent the deterioration of the casting mold by exposure to the initial heat of the cast metal and to prevent that segregation of alloy and trace constituents in cast metal which would result from rapid initial cooling of the peripheral portions of the cast metal. Accordingly, it has been proposed that such thermal barrier may be formed of any well known materials having physical characteristics including relatively poor heat conduction and a melting point well above that of the cast metal, and, of course, the substance must be relatively easy to apply in a uniform manner and in various selected thicknesses to the casting mold. The materials so selected consisted of soot obtained by burning acetylene gas near the periphery of the continuous casting wheel. It has been found however that it is difficult to regulate the thickness of this material uniformly and in addition thereto difiiculties have been encountered in providing even surface buildup of soot deposits along the periphery of the wheel thereby adversely affecting the surface of the cast bar employed. In addition thereto, part of the soot layer would break away from the periphery of the continuous casting mold and would adhere to the continuously cast bar and if the same were not removed prior to hot working, danger of entrapping the high amounts of carbon within the material were encountered.

In addition thereto, there sometimes occurs during the continuous casting of, for example, copper, the aspect known as spatter welding. Spatter welding occurs on the wheel and belt surfaces before they mate because of splashing. Consequently as a result thereof, copper or other material being cast will form'a spatter adjacent to the steel band and the portion of the wheel adjacent the groove thereof, If this spatter is not removed, then at the next revolution of the wheel the pressure from the tension pulley about which the steel belt rotates and which is used while holding the steel belt in casting contact therewith, will be sufficient to actually deform the outer periphery of the continuous casting wheel. As a result, the spatter condition thereafter becomes excessive; since this portion of the wheel, that is, the exterior periphery of the wheel adjacent the continuous casting groove, is not supplied with an adequate thermal barrier or release agent such spatter welding can occur. If deformation does occur the casting does not readily release from the rotating mold.

One solution to the problem resided in applying an aliphatic hydrocarbon of controlled flash paint to the wheel surfaces by spraying the same with a fan-type nozzle. While the thickness could be relatively controlled, overspray and burn off caused significant misting and decreased visibility. Static felt wipers were also employed but were ineffective for controlling film thickness thereby causing flash-back and burning of the wipers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for uniformly applying a coating of a thermal barrier and release agent to the groove of a continuous casting wheel and comprises a support to which a framework is rotatably mounted in aligned spaced relation with the periphery of a continuous casting wheel. Attached to the framework and aligned with the groove of the continuous casting wheel in tandem relation there is disposed means for referencing the framework, means carried by the framework for trimming the intersection of the continuous casting wheel periphery at the junction with the sidewall of the continuous casting groove, a first applicator means for apply ing a thermal barrier and release agent to the sidewalls and a second applicator means for applying a thermal barrier and release agent to the root and adjacent radii of the groove of a continuous casting wheel.

The referencing means not only serves to reference the framework upon which the balance of the components are carried but also serves as a fail-safe mechanism in the event that the continuously cast bar is not extracted from the groove of the continuous casting wheel. It operates to lift the apparatus disposed within the groove and thereby prevent damage thereto when the unextracted bar is rotated with said continuous casting wheel. In tandem therewith a trimming tool is disposed to be carried by the framework, said trimming tool being manually actuated as needed for in-process trimming of the sidewalls of any deformation which may inadvertently remain as a result of the improper fit of the endless steel belt with the periphery of the continuous casting wheel adjacent the sidewalls of the continuous casting groove. The framework also carries means for applying the thermal barrier and release agent uniformly to a portion of the sidewalls in an amount slightly in excess of that necessary for uniformly coating the sidewalls of the continuous casting groove. The excess is thereafter distributed to the root on base and adjacent radii by the second applicator means which are carried in tandem with the first applicator means. By thus cooperating in their various functions the various components of the apparatus of the present invention provide a simplified manner for cleaning any deformation from the continuous casting groove and apply a thermal barrier release agent so that the overall continuous casting process may proceed with a minimum of supervision and provide for obtaining greater reliability and more uniformity to the continuously cast bar. Additional ad vantages include greater reliability in removing the bar from the continuous casting groove and a more uniform surface finish is obtained.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for use with a continuous casting wheel which apparatus is effective for uniformly applying a thermal barrier and release agent to the sidewalls root and adjacent radii of a continuous casting wheel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for use with a continuous casting wheel which apparatus can be operated to remove deformation from the periphery of a continuous casting wheel and apply a thermal barrier and release agent to the sidewalls and base of the continuous casting groove.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide apparatus which is disposed in spaced relation over the casting groove of a continuous casting wheel which apparatus is effective for removing splatter and uniformly applying a thermal barrier and release agent to the sidewalls and to the root of the groove of a continuous casting wheel.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when taken in conjunction with the following description and the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS H6. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus of the present invention showing the aligned relationship of the apparatus of the present invention with the groove of a continuous casting wheel; and

HO. 2 is a side elevation illustrating the apparatus in opera tive relation with the continuous casting wheel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, reference may be had to the apparatus of the present invention designated generally at and which comprises a vertical support shown generally at 12 to which a framework shown generally at 14 is attached for movement around a shaft 16 secured within the support 32. The framework 14 is disposed in aligned spaced relation over the continuous casting wheel shown partially at 18 having a continuous casting groove 20 disposed about the periphery thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the framework is aligned with the continuous casting groove 20 of the continuous casting wheel 18 and as shown in FIG. 2 the framework 14 is spaced above the groove of the continuous casting wheel 18. The vertical support 12 comprises a pad 22 which is secured to the framework of the continuous casting machine. Upright member 24 which is secured to the pad 22 and which ter minates a predetermined distance above the periphery of the continuous casting wheel 20 is provided with an opening for carrying shaft 16 for rotatable movement therein. The shaft 16 is rotatably maintained within the upright member 24 by means of bearing collars 26 which are secured to the upright 24. A shaft collar 28 is secured to one end of the shaft 16 adjacent bearing collar 26 for rotating movement within the ver' tical support and a like shaft collar 28 is disposed on the other end of the shaft for maintaining the framework 14 for rotating movement thereabout. A spacer member 30 may be disposed between the bearing collar 26 and the framework 14 for maintaining the proper alignment with the continuous casting wheel groove 20 of the continuous casting wheel 18.

The framework 14 comprises hub 32 which is secured to .shaft 16 and onto which spanning plate 34 is secured for carrying the various components in aligned tandem relationship. While it is noted that there is an angular relationship to the various sections of the framework 14, nonetheless these angular relationships are for matters of convenience only and are designed for utilization with a continuous casting wheel which is approximately 72 inches in diameter at the outer periphery. Since the diameter of the continuous casting wheel 18 can change and in some cases may be substantially smaller than the 72 inch wheel to which the present illustration is directed, the angular relationships can be varied to accommodate the curvature for whatever wheel is employed, without departing from the spirit or the function of the present apparatus.

In the embodiment illustrated, a gauging unit shown generally at 36 is shown attached to the spanning plate 34 adjacent the hub 32. The gauging unit 36 comprises a slotted pad 38, a generally downwardly depending fork member 40 and a riding wheel 42 received for rotating movement in the forked portion of member 40. Preferably the slotted pad 38 is mounted on the spanning plate 34 in such a manner that the slots (not shown) are parallel with the long dimension of the spanning plate 34. Thus the slotted pad 38 may be bolted (not shown) to the spanning plate 34 in such a manner as to regulate the spatial relationship between the base of the groove 20 of the continuous casting wheel 18 and the framework 14 when the apparatus of the present invention is rotated into operative position. The riding wheel 42 when the apparatus is in operative position is disposed to ride in the groove 20 of the continuous casting wheel 18, consequently since the pad 38 is slotted in the manner described, a reference for the spanning frame 34 is thereby established. it will be appreciated that since the riding wheel 42 is employed, in the event there is a portion of the continuously cast bar which is not removed from the continuous casting groove 20, the riding wheel 42 will travel over said bar in the manner of a cam follower as the continuous casting wheel 18 rotates thereby lifting the other member carried on the spinning plate out of the way so that they will not be injured during the pass of the wheel from which the continuously cast bar has not been removed.

As was stated hereinbefore, it sometimes becomes necessary to remove any amount of deformation which may occur where the continuous casting wheel and the flexible sheet member do not make a perfect match during the continuous casting of metals. If the deformation is not removed, the condition can cause additional mismatching so that a general overall buildup of metal can take place near the outer edge of the continuous casting wheel. in order to provide for the easy removal of said deformation materials, the apparatus of the present invention is provided with a trimming unit which is shown generally at 44. The trimming unit 44 comprises a plate member 46 which is attached to the spanning plate 34 in any convenient manner, usually by bolting. A generally downwardly depending tool carrier 48 is attached to the plate member 46 and terminates at a predetermined distance above the level of the periphery of the continuous casting wheel. The tool carrier 48 is provided with a pivot member 49 (shown in dotted outline) about which the tool 50 may be rotated. The tool 50 is preferably of the steel-shank carbide-tipped variety in which a carbide insert 51 is carried on a steel shank 53. The carbide insert 51 is provided with a geometry and relief angles such as when the tool is manually manipulated about pivot 49 in one direction as will be described, the cutting edge of the carbide tip 49 will coincide with the slope of the sidewalls of the continuous casting groove 20 and when rotated in the opposite direction, the next adjacent cutting surface of the carbide tip 49 will be indexed in an aligned relationship with the opposite sidewall of the continuous casting groove 20. The opposite end of the tool shank 53 is provided with a pivot member 54 to which a handle 56 is attached for actuating the tool into trimming engagement with the outer periphery of the sidewall of the groove 20 of the continuous casting wheel. Thus by manually pulling or pushing the handle 56 of the tool insert 51 will be brought into trimming engagement with the groove of the continuous casting wheel.

The continuous casting wheel 18 is usually made of a copper base alloy because of its good thermal conductivity. Moreover, the groove 20 of the continuous casting wheel 18 is provided with a preferred geometry for maximum efficiency in obtaining derived cross section in the continuously cast bar commensurate with removal of the cast bar from the groove. In order to prevent any untoward removal of the metal of the continuous casting wheel by the trimmer unit 44, a mechanical stop 58 is disposed to be received to the tool carrier 48 which stop will regulate the limits of the one through which the tool 50 can be manipulated. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the matter of deformation may only be intermittent and accordingly it is not desirable to continuously engage the sidewall of the continuous casting wheel 18 with the carbide cutting insert 51. Accordingly, when it is desired to present the tool into an idling position the handle may be dropped and the tool will maintain its central position within the groove of the continuous casting wheel without the tool tip engaging either of the sidewall surfaces in trimming engagement therewith.

Adjacent the plate member 46 at its attachment to spanning plate 34, the framework 14 is provided with an appendage 59 to which may be attached means (not shown) for retracting the framework 14 and the components carried thereby out of engagement with the continuous casting wheel i8. While any sort of means can be used, it is preferred to employ an air cylinder and piston associated therewith because of its response time and freedom from advance environmental operating conditions.

A sidewall applicator unit is shown generally at 60 and disposed to be secured to the spanning plate 34 of the framework 14 in tandem with the trimming unit 44. The sidewall applicator unit 60 comprises a base member 62 which is secured to the spanning plate 34 preferably by bolting and has a slide opening 64 disposed centrally therein. A yoke member 66 is disposed to be secured to the base 62 and the yoke 66 provided with a central opening 69 contained therein which is aligned with the slide opening contained in the base 62. A substantially rectangular slide member 68 is disposed within the slide openings 64 of the base 62 and terminates at its upper end by being secured to a threaded member 70 carried within the opening 69 of the yoke 66. A nut 72 is secured in aligned relation over the opening 69 of the yoke 66 so that threaded member 72, when engaging the nut, will provide for the vertical adjustment of the slide member 68. The other end of the threaded member 72 terminates in hand grip 76 which is utilized for rotating the threaded member to raise or lower the slide 68 with respect to the framework and hence with respect to the continuous casting wheel.

A cross bar 78 is secured to the opposite end of slide 68 and has one leg 80 disposed at substantially right angles thereto near the extremity thereof and another leg 82 extending in the opposite direction from the leg 80 and is also located near the opposite extremity of cross bar 78. Each of the legs 80 and 82 is provided with an opening which is disposed to receive a shaft 84 for supporting the applicators as will be described. A downwardly depending member 86 is secured to the cross bar 78 near the central portion thereof and terminates a predetermined distance above the base of the continuous casting groove 20. Another cross bar 88 is secured to member 86 in parallel relationship with the cross bar 78 and cross bar 88 is also provided with legs 90 and 92 disposed near the outer extremities thereof and on opposite sides of the cross bar 88 in the same manner as the legs 80 and 82 are disposed on the opposite sides of cross bar 78. The opposite ends of shafts 84 are disposed to be retained within the corresponding leg members 90 and 92 which are aligned with leg members 80 and 82. Each shaft has one end thereof curved so that the major length of the shaft will be inclined to a sumcient degree that an axis through such major portion will be parallel to the slope of its nearest sidewall of the groove 20. A pair of substantially cylindrical felt rollers 94 are disposed on each of the shafts 84 such that the outer periphery of each roller makes line contact with the outer portion of the sidewall of the groove while the continuous casting wheel 18 is rotated. A source (not shown) of thermal barrier release agent is disposed to be metered onto the felt rollers )4 in a sufficient amount that an excess is applied to the sidewalls of the continuous casting groove 20. Since each of the felt rollers 94 are inclined in a parallel relationship with the inwardly taper of the sidewalls of the continuous casting groove the thermal barrier release agent is metered and spread evenly to the outer portion of the sidewall. While an excess of the thermal barrier release agent is desired as will appear more fully hereinafter, the portion of the felt roller 94 which engages the inwardly tapering sidewall of the continuous casting groove 20 will have an evenly distributed amount of the thermal barrier release agent applied to that portion of said sidewalls. This becomes apparent by reason of the fact that it would be impossible in the present apparatus to extend the sidewall applicator unit all the way to the base of the groove of the continuous casting wheel 18. Consequently the upper portion of the inwardly tapering sidewall is provided with an evenly distributed amount of the thermal barrier release agent and a sufficient excess is permitted to gravitate 7 also function to aid in releasing the solidified bar from the groove 20 of the continuous casting wheel 18. Accordingly, this material must be liquid, and since the molten metal is at a substantially higher temperature than the agents ignition point, there cannot be any residue remaining after burning which could be carried into the cast bar. Moreover, the material should have a flash point of about 500 F. since this temperature may be reached at the periphery of the continuous casting wheel 18 at the groove 20. Any aliphatic hydrocarbon copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, their derivatives, esters, diesters and ether esters such as prepared by the methods disclosed in the publication High Polymers, Vol. Xlll, Gaylord, lnterscience Publishers, l963, P. 231, having these characteristics will suffice. In practice an example of a highly effective thermal barrier and release agent is that marketed by the Union Carbide Corporation under the name Ucon Fluid identified by the designation LB-300-X which is a polyalkyl ethylene glycol. This material has been successfully employed in the continuous casting of copper.

The base applicator unit comprises a yoke member 102 which is secured to the framework 14 by means of a pair of upwardly extending studs 104 which extend through the framework 14 and are secured thereto by means of nuts 106. A wheel 108 is carried for rotating movement within the yoke member 102 by means of axle 110 and a felt covering 112 is disposed to cover the outer periphery of the wheel 108. By the proper adjustment of the nut 106 and the stud 104 the felt covering 112 of the wheel 108 can be adjusted so that the felt covering 112 rides on the base of the continuous casting groove 20 when the gauge wheel 42 is secured in its proper position. It is preferred to form the felt covering 112 with sufficient width so that when engaged with the base of the groove 20 the felt covering will lap over the edge of the wheel 108 a predetermined distance thereby uniformly distributing the thermal barrier and release agent to the balance of the groove 20. By reason of the fact that the sidewall applicator unit evenly distributes a coating of the thermal barrier and release agent to the upper portion of the sidewalls of the continuous casting groove 20 the felt periphery 112 of the wheel 108 will take such excess thermal barrier and release agent and distribute the same over the balance of the sidewall, the base and adjacent radii of the continuous casting groove 20 of the wheel 18. In order to insure for any eccentricity to the continuous casting wheel 18 or a pass line of the base of the continuous casting groove 20 from that of the gauging wheel 36 it is preferred to insert a spring member 114 in the space between the framework 14 and the yoke 102 of the base applicator unit 100 so as to bias the same for applying a uniform coating to the base adjacent radii and the uncoated portion of the sidewalls of the continuous casting groove 20.

OPERATION In operation, the apparatus 10 of the present invention may be manually lowered so that the gauging unit 36 carried by the spanning plate 34 is lowered until the wheel 42 touches the base of the groove of the continuous casting wheel 18. This is done by rotating the framework 14 about shaft 16 which is secured for movement in the vertical support 12. With the wheel 42 riding in the base of the continuous casting groove 20, nut 72 may be loosened and hand grip 76 rotated so that slide 68 is adjusted for the felt rollers 94 to engage the sidewall of the continuous casting groove 20. Thereafter, the nut 72 is tightened and nut 106 loosened until the felt covering 112 of the base applicator unit 100 rides in contact with the base of the continuous casting groove 20. A source (not shown) of thermal barrier and release agent is metered to the felt rollers 94 in order to provide for an excess of the thermal barrier release agent after the application of a uniform layer to the upper or exterior portion of the inwardly tapering sidewalls of the continuous casting groove 20. As the wheel 18 rotates, the excess of the thermal barrier and release agent gravitates and is distributed to the balance of the sidewalls, the base and adjacent radii by means of felt covering 112 of the base applicator unit 100. lntermittently and as the situation arises the bandle 56 carried on pivot 52 of the trimming unit 44 may be pulled so as to engage the cutting surface of the tool insert 51 of the tool 50 with the upper exterior portion of the sidewall to remove any deformation therefrom which may be caused by a mismatch of the continuous casting wheel 18 and the steel band (not shown). The intermittent use of the trimming unit can be applied to either sidewall of the continuous casting groove 20 and when not actually being used in its trimming application can be left in its central position between the opposed sidewalls of the continuous casting groove 20.

The apparatus of the present invention is most useful in the continuous casting of copper and copper base alloys. However, such other materials as aluminum, or any of the other nonferrous materials can be cast in such a manner and the apparatus of the present invention is effective for applying a thermal barrier and release agent to the sidewalls base and adjacent radii of the continuous casting groove of a continuous casting wheel.

We claim:

1. ln apparatus for providing a uniform coating of a thermal barrier and release agent to the sidewalls, bottom and adjoining radii of a groove of a continuous casting wheel, the combination comprising, a framework disposed in aligned spaced relation over the groove about the periphery of a continuous casting wheel, first means connected to the framework for referencing the position of said framework in relation to the groove of the continuous casting wheel, second means carried by the framework and disposed within the groove of the continuous casting wheel for intermittently engaging and trimming the outer extremity of the sidewall of the groove of the continuous casting wheel, third means carried by the framework and disposed within the groove of the continuous casting wheel for uniformly distributing a coating of a thermal barrier and release agent to a portion of the sidewalls of the groove, and fourth means carried by the framework and disposed in engagement with the bottom of the groove for uniformly distributing a coating of thermal barrier and release agent to the balance of the groove of the continuous casting wheel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the third and fourth means are in tandem relation with one another.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the third means distribute an excess of the thermal barrier and release agent to a portion of the sidewalls and said excess is distributed uniformly over the balance of the groove of the continuous casting wheel by the fourth means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the second means comprises a tool having a tool insert disposed on one end thereof which has adjacent angular relationship such that when the tool is engaged one cutting edge thereof engages the outer periphery of the sidewall of the groove of the continuous casting machine.

5. In apparatus for providing a coating of a thermal barrier and release agent to the sidewalls bottom and adjacent radii of a groove of a continuous casting wheel, the combination comprising a framework disposed in aligned spaced relation over the groove about the periphery of a continuous casting wheel, a tool carried by the framework and disposed to extend a predetermined distance downwardly into the groove of the continuous casting wheel for intermittently engaging the outer extremity of either sidewall of the groove of a continuous casting wheel, a sidewall applicator unit carried by the framework and disposed to extend a predetermined distance into the groove of the continuous casting wheel for applying a predetermined amount of a thermal barrier and release agent to a portion of each sidewall and a bottom applicator unit carried by the framework in tandem with the sidewall applicator unit and disposed in rolling contact with the bottom adjacent radii and the balance of the sidewalls for uniformly distributing a coating of the thermal barrier and release agent to the balance of the groove of the continuous castin wheel.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the si ewall applicator unit comprises means for vertically positioning the unit within the groove of a continuous casting wheel, a pair of roll members each of which is disposed in rolling contact with a portion of each of the sidewall and means connected to the vertical positioning means for maintaining the wall members in rolling contact with the sidewalls of the continuous casting wheel.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the bottom applicator unit comprises a downwardly depending yoke member, a roll member rotatably secured in the yoke member and felt covering disposed to be secured to the outer periphery of the roll member and extend a predetermined distance inwardly therefrom. 

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the third and fourth means are in tandem relation with one another.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the third means distribute an excess of the thermal barrier and release agent to a portion of the sidewalls and said excess is distributed uniformly over the balance of the groove of the continuous casting wheel by the fourth means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the second means comprises a tool having a tool insert disposed on one end thereof which has adjacent angular relationship such that when the tool is engaged one cutting edge thereof engages the outer periphery of the sidewall of the groove of the continuous casting machine.
 5. In apparatus for providing a coating of a thermal barrier and release agent to the sidewalls bottom and adjacent radii of a groove of a continuous casting wheel, the combination comprising a framework disposed in aligned spaced relation over the groove about the periphery of a continuous casting wheel, a tool carried by the framework and disposed to extend a predetermined distance downwardly into the groove of the continuous casting wheel for intermittently engaging the outer extremity of either sidewall of the groove of a continuous casting wheel, a sidewall applicator unit carried by the framework and disposed to extend a predetermined distance into the groove of the continuous casting wheel for applying a predetermined amount of a thermal barrier and release agent to a portion of each sidewall and a bottom applicator unit carried by the framework in tandem with the sidewall applicator unit and disposed in rolling contact with the bottom adjacent radii and the balance of the sidewalls for uniformly distributing a coating of the thermal barrier and release agent to the balance of the groove of the continuous casting wheel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the sidewall applicator unit comprises means for vertically positioning the unit within the groove of a continuous casting wheel, a pair of roll members each of which is disposed in rolling contact with a portion of each of the sidewall and means connected to the vertical positioning means for maintaining the wall members in rolling contact with the sidewalls of the continuous casting wheel.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the bottom applicator unit comprises a downwardly depending yoke member, a roll member rotatably secured in the yoke member and felt covering disposed to be secured to the outer periphery of the roll member and extend a predetermined distance inwardly therefrom. 